Meclizine for Anxiety Symptoms

Meclizine is traditionally a motion sickness drug used to prevent nausea, vomiting and dizziness. It works by blocking a chemical messenger to the brain. Meclizine has also been found to be helpful for treating vertigo.

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Will Meclizine help Anxiety?

Many patients report nausea and dizziness during a panic attack. Meclizine will help with these symptoms because they are the same as the motion sickness symptoms. Meclizine also acts as a central nervous system depressant similar to the effect of a local anesthetic. This may help if there is any pain experienced with an anxiety attack and will calm body function down overall.

Reasons Why It Won't Work?

Meclizine takes an hour to work. A patient having severe anxiety probably cannot wait that long. Its effects can last between eight and 24 hours. There are no studies proving it will eliminate anxiety.

The Connection Between Motion Sickness and Anxiety

Motion sickness is caused by signals getting mixed up from the inner ear. People who suffer from inflammation of the inner ear also report chronic anxiety. The inner ear is connected to both motion sickness and anxiety.

Patient Reports

There have been reports on health boards that people have found relief from their anxiety after taking meclizine for motion sickness. Many people who have chronic anxiety report they suffer from motion sickness as well.

Meclizine Can be Harmful

Meclizine is known to make people drowsy. If you are already taking a prescription for anxiety, meclizine it will add to the sleepiness you already feel. It is recommended you don't combine the two medications.